Capt Vince Pierleoni

21 minutes ago, stoneam2006 said:

 

So run lead core or copper with divers and just add in wired depth to dipsy depth to get actual depth?

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Do not run divers off your leadcore or coppers, not only will you run out of willing fishing partners to reel that mess in, but it will defeat the presentation that core and copper are designed to do.

If I can make one suggestion to this new adventure, don't run more than one core or copper(run off back of boat) until you become well accomplished with riggers and divers. Not only will you be more successful, but you will be less of a problem while fishing in congested areas. Guys that are new to the fishery do not understand how close or far to be while in the vicintity of other trollers or people battling fish. It takes experience to know when lines need to be pulled to avoid a conflict and certainly dealing with tangles will suck the fun out of your water time.  

12 hours ago, stoneam2006 said:

Thanks.

Now as far as riggers go why are there different length poles and does it make a difference what I go with?

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Get ready for a whirlwind of fun and frustration. This will be some of the best moments of your life learning Lake O and Lake Erie fisheries. Nothing can replace on-the -water time and trial and error but to answer your downrigger rod question:  Downrigger rods tend to have softer tipped rods with a parabolic action(the rod flexes evenly from tip to butt). This is often referred to as a "slow" action rod. It is necessary to choose rods that will handle the presentations and fish that you will most often pursue. I would choose different rods for Walleye than Salmon. Anglers have to balance having a soft enough rod that allows full "loading" while set in the downrigger and won't pull hooks out at the boat vs having enough backbone to steer the fish while landing and being able to wield the presentation while in the water ahead of the fish. Large Salmon flashers present a bigger challenge than a small spoon.

With all the great fisheries you are looking to get in on, you will eventually want 2 sets of downrigger rods. I would say a set of ML action 7'-8' rods for the fingers and Erie, and a set of 8'-8 1/2' M action for Lake Ontario Salmon. 

3 minutes ago, Trouthunter said:

What we need now is more fish of different genes from the northwest to strengthen our fish here. We have been using the same  gene pool for to long now need new  genes to kick start this great fishery. Not a expert but this fishery could use some help what do you guys think

There may be some validity to this but there are very real concerns about disease being transferred and the agencies pride themselves in having "clean" eggs. I personally think the Lake Ontario strain Chinooks are well adapted to our system/habitat. They seem less prone to ailments and in my opinion less likely to mature earlier. They come from the wild where the fittest/strongest survive and reproduce. The Canadians have broken the ice on the great idea of using eggs/sperm from this strain to create fingerlings and stock in poor return areas. With todays pressure on the highly sought after Chinook, NYS/Ontario needs contributions from both natural and stocked sources.

2 hours ago, Gator said:

All good points. The lake cleared up, the thermal breaks got funny, and I haven't run a surface program in many years. I know that the guys out toward Vince still target steelhead in August out deep deep, but it seems less common as you move East.

 

Interesting that research shows increased levels of thiaminase in well-fed alewives. Maybe there's a link between our arguably missing year-classes of fish and the recent steelhead issues? Does anyone have the past two years data on the "plumpness" of the alewives. I know that they collect it.

The breaks are definitely more in play after a cold winter. With yo yo weather the lake warms up faster and more uniformly--great for the food chain but tougher to find fish corralled.

I'm in my 33 year as a Professional and quite frankly I get zero requests to target Steelhead in the lake from Charter parties. They are a welcome treat, and are in their top physical condition in the open water. Any trib angler that hasn't experienced them in the lake in 60 degree water needs to. The simple fact is Steelhead are available to anglers throughout our marketplace PA/OH. It is the Pacific Salmon and Brown trout that are the novelty, and drive our tourism dollars in this area. Any Captain who lives in the area and is an ambassador to this fishery enjoys and respects all the species but this is simply the case.   

1 hour ago, LongLine said:

FWIW:  NYS tried to put very stringent ballast rules on incoming freighters & it was the Feds that shot it down. The Phosphorous laws were also 1st proposed & adopted by NYS.  The good thing from the Feds is the USGS and I hope their funding doesn't get cut.

 

Tom B.

(LongLine)

Agreed Tom. Solid talent in that agency. This administration is very outdoors/sportsmen friendly and this just has to get sorted out.

It would certainly exacerbate the problem Gill-T. Good point. Top end pelagic predator Chinook Salmon are programmed to take out the large alewives. These large, older alewives carry the most thiaminase. Putting adequate heat on those older, fatter alewives would decrease that temptation for the mature Steelhead.    

Our peers in Michigan are NOT fans of the Great Lakes restoration initiative. It has some merit but like so many other things gets twisted. Most people want Pacific Salmon to fish for in Lake Michigan--this initiative doesn't prioritize what the anglers want--just "talk to the hand."  Also let us not forget the single biggest danger to fish densities in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario is going overboard on phosphorus control, which once again is driven by non sports people and the "feel good" Green religion.

For far too long MAN has been taken out of the equation. MAN built the seaway and with it came progress and huge environmental problems. To me, MAN putting Pacific Salmon in the Great Lakes is absolutely no different than a bird of prey dropping a Bass in a body of water it wasn't inhabiting before. It's natural, and it was no accident that it was successful.

Do not think for one minute that the GLRI movement cares one iota if your drag screams during your valuable recreation time. It sounds like a worthy initiative to anglers but there is much more beneath the surface.

I would have to believe you could take that floor out without cutting it, yes it will be more work but if this is your long time rig it's well worth it. There are several companies that build aluminum tanks to specs, you could get exact measurements after you pull tank.

Pap, sorry to hear of your misfortune involving ethanol destruction. I am an anti ethanol crusader, and will go well out of the way to get non ethanol for the boats, utv, chainsaws, weedwhackers, ect.  HATE isn't a strong enough word for what I think of the concept of diluting real gas with it.

Many incidents involving ethanol eating fuel lines, and many boat owners have had to remove fiberglass tanks and replace with aluminum. Even if you went to exclusive non ethanol from now forward the damage may be done. Not only the fire/explosion risk, but fine pieces of fuel line or tank can cause damage to your motor/motors. Take this very seriously. 

It absolutely does include the Niagara river. Its one of the most dangerous navigable waterways in NY and its patrolled heavily.

They are very active in Olcott, passing out cards and offering inspections.


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Hawkeye625, my winter boat is a 1999 2150 Crestliner that has been road hard and put away wet many times. The motor is a 2001 Honda 130 hp w/ 2900 hrs. Good luck to all the boat shoppers.


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GILL-T, you know my position. The pressure on the adult alewife is already relaxed via increased pressure on Kings because of better skills and communication, predation on Kings by Man, birds, Lake trout, and warm water predators. Despite shortfalls in most trout stocking targets the King cut took place. The alewives are now poised for another big uptick, just like each and every time they have been down over the last 40 years.


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I share the same opinion as bandrus1, buy a quality used hull and repower. If you will only do it once buy the largest one you can launch, tow and have storage for.

So sorry to hear this Chris. You live in the right community-I'm sure Niagara county will show up big for your fundraiser.  I will PM you shortly.

The Humminbird Helix series is tough to beat, very reliable and resolution is excellent.

If you can't easily afford to replace the transducer DO NOT run around in the lower river when theres ice chunks. That condition has been the death of many transducers. Have a 2nd simpler transducer, or a 2nd unit to use for depth. Store your valuable transducer in your splash well and zip tie up any loose cable. If you are using your unit for the gps function make sure to unplug the idle transducer so its not running out of the water.  

Glad to hear you made it ok. Damn, every hardcore ice angler I know has had a close call this season. Sorry about the loss of gear.

I wondered where you were lodging up there.......Chris you are fine example of "workin' hard, playin' hard"  Great Nugent song.

In the late 60's and early 70's it was closed to fishing. When we were very young our dad would take us there and show us exploding largemouth by tossing sticks in the water. There was a window in time when it was first opened to fishing when the LM bass fishing was excellent.

I know its deep enough to drown an ice fisherman so use caution if you try.  

Falcons completely botched their last 2 drives and the challenge was a poor one, wasting a timeout they could have used in regulation. There's just no denying the greatness of the Pats coach and QB. Don't give them an inch, or they will take a mile.

Casual fans got see why the NFL as a product is as big as it is.  

We all went to Cabelas stand hunter stuff for late season. If its their label they will stand behind it practically indefinitely. Not sure if that will change with the Bass Pro merger though. The stuff usually goes half price post season.

Now on the other side of the coin, what do you guys like for the "new normal", 70 degree Oct/Nov bowhunts?  Aside from just going out in baselayers, whats out there in good patterns that will be light enough to fit the bill?

Stoneam2006, you can towel dry it if you wish, but by its very design it has good traction when wet. On days when you would actually consider swimming, it will dry fast via sunlight. In all cases, it will not absorb water like carpet, and dry much faster.

It is a tough, tear resistant vinyl. You can cut it with heavy shears to fit your needs. It will be ideal for your needs as an alternative to carpet. 

Work2fish, that non skid vinyl comes off of rolls usually in 6' widths. It is glued on topside and stapled on underside of panels that you remove. I'm sure most marine catalogs carry it but Cabela's did the last time I ordered.